UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S]

The PM's recent announcement about the public commitment to defence and security spending is welcome. Earlier this month, I was delighted to join a few leaders in politics, defence, security and related UK financial/professional services for a discreet discussion about innovation, procurement, and investment in light of increased defence spending, and an increasing focus on novel technologies and approaches in defence. Reforms like those introduced by the Procurement Act 2023 and the increasing focus on innovation evident in, and enabled by, areas like AI, quantum computing and robotics offer opportunities. They also present practical challenges which must be worked through efficiently and effectively. We will continue these important discussions our conversations - please let us know if you have insights to share. Will Wallace Shruti Iyengar Louis Head James Cleverly Michelle Howard Robin MacKenzie Andrew Turner CB CBE Michael Miller #Defence #Security #Innovation #Procurement #Investment #FinancialServices #Aerospace UK Ministry of Defence

Join Future Planet Capital - UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S] on Wednesday 12th March 2025 in Edinburgh, for an afternoon of networking and insight, featuring our portfolio companies alongside industry partners and ecosystem leaders. Explore new opportunities and connect with key players shaping the future. ➜ Register your interest here: https://lu.ma/e44b799e Douglas Hansen-Luke, Andrew Muir, Alex Leigh 🎙🎥, Sam Martin, Sara Banares, Shruti Iyengar, Phoebe Seltzer, Malika Arshad, Lyle Pentith #impact #deeptech #investing #innovation Future Planet Capital | Midven

🔮 What are the UK's pioneering investors betting on? At #AIS24, deep-tech investor Shruti Iyengar shared the climate areas she's particularly focusing on: 🌎 Nature-based carbon capture • Particularly ocean-based solutions • Technologies benefiting coastal communities • Combining environmental & social impact 💨 Methane sequestration • An "under appreciated gas" with massive climate impact • Potential for significant innovation Want to hear what top investors are backing in 2025? Join 150+ forward-thinking investors at #AIS25 where we're exploring "The Next Breakthrough Opportunities." 🎟️ Click through to our profile to register interest #AngelInvestor #ClimateInvestment #UKTech

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩? 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞. A recent survey by Sifted revealed that 49% of founders considered stepping away from their startups last year - a figure that likely remains consistent. Running a startup is tough. Fundraising is demanding, growth can be unpredictable, and moments of doubt are inevitable. This is where funding initiatives like the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S] can provide the transformative support for early-stage founders, offering not just financial backing but also a foundation for growth during challenging times. Having a mission that goes beyond financial success is crucial, it’s your driving force. Founders who succeed are those with a purpose larger than themselves, and access to the right support can make all the difference! ➜ At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], we invest in innovations that transform our future. We're impact first, We thrive on risk, and We take the lead. Future Planet Capital | Midven Alex Leigh 🎙🎥 #impact #risk #startup #innovation #financialsuccess

Portfolio company twig is working hard to address this. It has bio derived sun creams in development that are far less harmful to marine life. This is important. As the report notes up to 14,000 tonnes are released annually harming coral and other sea life. It’s a major hidden pollutant. https://lnkd.in/e8pf8beC

🧬 𝐔𝐊 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 2024 The UK biotech sector has seen impressive growth, raising £3.5 billion in equity financing in 2024 – a 94% increase from 2023, according to the latest UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) report.  In the headline figures are some interesting trends – and whilst seed deals made up a third of the total deal count, the average deal size actually decreased by 25.3% from the previous year, falling from £6.7 million to £5 million. Despite the difficult seed investing climate, UKI2S is pleased to have invested in 14 portfolio companies in 2024. Another interesting trend is seen in inward investment. UKI2S syndicates widely across the EU, US and RoW funds and looking at those 14 investments they successfully bought inward investment representing up to 90%, with an average of 44% across the portfolio from non-UK funds. This growth highlights the increasing investor confidence in the UK's biotech landscape but also highlights the importance of continued support from UK investors for UK companies. ➜ At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S] we invest in innovations that transform our future. We're impact first, We thrive on risk, and We take the lead. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e94GgQWd Future Planet Capital | Midven Oliver Sexton, Sam Martin, Andrew Muir, Phoebe Seltzer, Hassan Mahmudul, Steve Bates OBE FMedSci #innovation #healthcare #investment #biotech

📢 Oxford Space Systems selected for UK government earth observation mission. UK Ministry of Defence has announced that the Oberon earth observation synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite mission has been awarded to Airbus Defence and Space, with Oxford Space Systems as a key supplier. Sean Sutcliffe, Chief Executive at Oxford Space Systems commented, “We are delighted to be part of the consortium selected to deliver the next generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance radar spacecraft for the UK.” The antenna, part of the family of Wrapped Rib Antenna being used to provide SAR capabilities, will be able to capture day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface, which have both government and commercial use capabilities covering radar, communications and frequency monitoring applications over a range of radio frequencies. 🔗For full details, read our news article: https://lnkd.in/eV6xegbK 🔗MoD announcement: https://lnkd.in/ekQX_8BT The below image illustrates the 3-metre version of the Wrapped Rib Antenna which is being incorporated into an in-orbit demonstration mission (separate from the Oberon mission) due for launch in 2025 as a collaboration between Oxford Space Systems, SSTL and NSSIF, with additional support from Innovate UK and Airbus Defence and Space. #Innovation #Oberon #WrappedRibAntenna #ISR #OxfordSpaceSystems

⚡𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲: 𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Fusion technology offers a transformative solution for clean, virtually limitless energy, while minimising environmental impact. With a £410 million investment announced from the UK government, the fusion energy sector is set to advance significantly between 2025 and 2026, positioning the UK at the forefront of clean energy innovation. At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], our Fusion Portfolio, managed by Mark White, supports cutting edge innovators in our portfolio companies including Mach42, Tokamak Energy, Wave Photonics, digiLab and Luffy AI. Through strategic investments, we are driving progress in clean energy, materials science, robotics, and AI. This growing ecosystem of Strategic Technologies is not only advancing energy solutions but creating new opportunities for sustainable innovation across industries. With continued support, the UK is well-positioned to lead the global transition to clean energy. ➜ At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], we invest in innovations that transform our future. We're impact first, We thrive on risk, and We take the lead. Bijan Kiani, Mateusz Kubica, James Lee, Brett Larder, David Kingham, Rory Scott Russell, Ross Allen, PhD, Amanda Niedfeldt, Patrick Cohen Future Planet Capital | Midven #impactinvesting #uk #innovations #fusion #fusionenergy #portfolio

🧬 The UK risks losing its leadership in engineering biology, with innovative companies forced to relocate abroad as they scale. The UK House of Lords Science and Technology Committee warns urgent action is needed to secure the UK’s position in this growing field. Our Investment Manager Hassan Mahmudul notes the need for upskilling talent within the engineering biology sector. "While the UK has a strong talent base in this field, researchers also need support to commercialise their work. Programs like those run by our LP, BBSRC, and Innovate UK’s iCURE initiative are designed to provide this vital support." At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], we’re dedicated to supporting early-stage engineering biology companies through seed funding, driving government-sector coordination, and addressing key challenges like infrastructure, talent, and regulatory clarity. The future of engineering biology is critical for the UK’s leadership in strategic technologies, economic growth and sustainability. With targeted investments and strategic initiatives, we can help the UK maintain its global edge and ensure pioneering companies thrive here. ➜ At UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], we invest in innovations that transform our future. We're impact first, We thrive on risk, and We take the lead. Future Planet Capital | Midven Andrew Muir, Oliver Sexton, Phoebe Seltzer #impactinvesting #engbio #innovation #sustainability

Our Series A Fundraise is now OPEN! 🎉 We had an absolute blast last night celebrating the recent successes with our 🤖 FloraFold® AI platform and scaling our 🌿 Rapid Plant Platform by 50x (yes, you read that right!). CEO Cian Duggan also took the opportunity to formally kick-off our Series A round. We're humbled by the interest we've already received. Thank you to all who made it. From our ex-interns to future investors, advisors and friends, we're grateful for every one of you 🙏 A big thank you of course to our current investors, SynBioVen, UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund [UKI2S], and AgFunder for making the journey possible this far. Here's to an exciting 2025 in BioTech 🤩